Stephen Charles Rickard or “Rick” as many of his friends called him, living in Cibolo, Texas passed away on June 14, 2026, at the age of 69 surrounded by his family at Christus Santa Rosa Westover Hills Hospital.

Stephen was born on March 2, 1957, in Fremont, Ohio, to Donald C. Rickard and Naomi M. Rickard (McClish). In 1975, he graduated from Woodmore High School where he played football, was in the Thespian Club, and played the trumpet in the marching band. He worked for various farmers during his high school years, and in 1974, he began working as a hospital porter. He was most proud of becoming a minister and preaching the word of God starting at the age of 15. Stephen met his future wife, Shirley, at a church camp in Michigan. Several years later he returned to the church camp looking for Shirley, the love of his life, and they were married in November 1976. In March 1977, he was voted to be the Indiana Pentecostal Church of God State Youth Director. 

He joined the United States Air Force Reserves and traveled the world to various locations. He managed a Quick Mart and was the Pastor of an independent church in Indiana. Stephen joined the Active-Duty Air Force as a recruiter where he was stationed in South Bend, Indiana, until his honorable discharge. He worked as the Assistant Dock Manager for Consolidated Freightways in Decatur, Alabama. In 1990, he went into the United States Army Reserves and transitioned to Active Duty Army in 1991. In the Active Duty Army, he was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Scholfield Barracks, Hawaii. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Stephen joined the Oklahoma National Guard in 1996 where he was stationed in Muskogee, Oklahoma until his honorable discharge.

 In 1998, Stephen and Shirley moved to San Antonio, Texas, then in 2005 he moved to Oak Grove, Kentucky, where he lived with his wife, son, and 4 of his grandchildren. In 2024, Stephen made his final move to Cibolo, Texas. Throughout the years Stephen evangelized ministering the word of God to numerous churches and congregations in multiple states. He was an accomplished ventriloquist, using his puppets for ministering to church youth groups. Stephen enjoyed watching old westerns, but his favorite thing to do was to study the word of God and spend time with his family.

Stephen is survived by his spouse of 49 years Shirley; his daughter Sabrina and her husband Joel; his son Stephen J.; his grandchildren: Joey and Amanda, Sierra, Destiny and T.J., Rebecca and Nathan, Rochelle and William, Leecie and Ian, John and Aisha; his great grandchildren: Henry, Edgar, Lavetta, Baby John, Mateo, C.J., William (3PO), Daisy, Arabella (due in August), Thomas (due in September); his loving Golden Retriever Bingo; his brothers: Alan and wife Andrea, Eric and wife Trish, and Phillip and wife Jennifer. He is preceded in death by his mother, Naomi and his father, Donald; his Grandpa Ad, Grandma Ada, Grandpa Clarance, and Grandma Zaza.

A visitation will be held at Schertz Funeral Home on Monday, July 6, 2026, from 5:00-8:00 PM. A graveside service and burial will be held at 10:30am, July 7, 2026, at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors. Following the burial service there will be a reception at 105 Brush Trail Bnd, Cibolo, TX 78108.